(MAYBE SOME SPOILERS)
I just watched The Asian Connection. I can't say I really liked it, but it also has it positive things. And that are Steven Seagal, the cinematography and the fresh and colorful locations. I think the movie looks better then Code of Honor. Asian Connection has no CGI and was really shot on location. Guys, we have to keep in mind that this is really low budget movie making and with the sources they had, Zirilli and his crew made a decent movie. Where Seagal mumbles his lines and looks bored in Code of Honor, he really looks motivated in The Asian Connection and there is no sign of his double.
The action is not spectaculair, but on the other hand you can say that the action is realistic. But the main problem of the movie is that it moves too slow. After 30 minutes I had the feeling that this was going to be fun, but after an hour I got a little bit bored because the pace is too slow. The last 15 minutes the movie starts to live again because Seagal is going after the main characters himself, because his henchmen failed. The ending was a missed opportunity because it ends as every other Seagal movie. Probably because Seagal wanted it to end this way.
The Asian Connection:
- Seagal is good and has a decent amout of screentime.
- The other actors are fine, only Byron Gibson of the other actors really shines (great and funny role sometimes)
- The action is not spectaculair.
- Some cool dialogue ( from Seagal and Michael Jai White who only has one scene by the way)
- Nice locations
- No CGI as you can tell everything was filmed on loacation.
- The passion of Zirilli is shown on screen. It's too bad that nobody would let him work with a bigger budget. Hopefully in the future.
It's good to see Steven trying something different once in a while. But after all those supporting roles I would like to see him back as the lead actor who is killing the bad guys. Although my most anticipated Seagal movie right now is The Perfect Weapon. I am wondering how End Of a Gun and Contract To Kill will turn out.
Asian Connection ***